ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: NREW DPA 5-2-0-0 | 3^rd Read 16-13-1-0

---

SB 1257: water resources; assistant director

Sponsor: Senator Petersen, LD 14

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Director to appoint an Assistant Director to coordinate with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) and water users to work on projects that increase water supply and water storage capacity.

History

ADWR

ADWR was established in 1980 to be responsible for water planning and regulation of all state waters (Laws 1980, 4th Special Session, Chapter 1). The ADWR Director has general control and supervision of surface water and groundwater to the extent allowed by statute (A.R.S. § 45-103). All non-federal dams in Arizona are also under the director's jurisdiction and it is unlawful to construct, reconstruct, repair, operate, maintain, enlarge, remove or alter any dam without the director's approval (A.R.S. § 45-1202). The ADWR Director is also empowered to establish and organize divisions within the department and hire and define the duties and terms of employment for any personnel deemed necessary to carry out the department's roles and responsibilities (A.R.S. § 45-104).

WIFA

WIFA provides financial assistance to political subdivisions, tribal communities and other entities for water infrastructure and projects that enhance water supplies. It consists of a governing board with nine voting members and nine nonvoting advisory members (including the ADWR Director or the director's designee) who evaluate and approve funding requests. ADWR provides technical assistance to the WIFA Board (A.R.S. § 49-1206). In addition to its governing board, WIFA has several committees which oversee the various funds it administers (A.R.S. §§ 49-1207 and 49-1208). Three WIFA funds may finance projects to increase water supply and water storage capacity:

1) The Water Supply Development Revolving Fund finances projects to acquire additional water supplies, develop various facilities to store and deliver water and water supply studies. Loans from this fund cannot exceed $3,000,000 and grants cannot exceed $2,000,000 (A.R.S. §§ 49-1201 and 49-1273);

2) The Long-term Water Augmentation Fund finances projects to import water from outside Arizona as well as projects to purchase imported water or water rights, acquire or construct water-related facilities to convey or deliver imported water within Arizona and provide financial assistance to eligible entities to refinance water supply development projects. When determining the priority of projects to finance, WIFA relies in part on water supply and demand assessments conducted by ADWR. At least 75% of monies appropriated to this fund in FYs 2023-2025 must be used for water importation projects (A.R.S. §§ 49-1303 and 49-1304); and

3) The Water Conservation Grant Fund may finance programs or projects that improve water reliability, which may include programs or projects to promote groundwater recharge, improved aquifer health and projects that facilitate coordinated water management including groundwater storage and recovery. Program grants cannot exceed $3,000,000 and project grants cannot exceed $250,000 (A.R.S. §§ 49-1332 and 49-1333).

Provisions

1. Requires the ADWR Director to appoint an Assistant Director who is responsible exclusively for coordinating with WIFA and water users to work on projects that will:

a) augment water supplies through importation of water from outside the state;

b) increase in-state water storage capacity through measures including construction and improvement of dams; and

c) collaborate with federal, state and local government officials. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-3)

3.

4.

5. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

6.                   SB 1257

7. Initials PAB/AH     Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

8.

9. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------